How to use rail fishplate to connect the s20 steel rail?

How to use rail fishplate to connect the s20 steel rail?

 

To connect S20 steel rails using fishplates (rail joint bars), align two rail ends, place fishplates on both sides, and secure them with fish bolts and nuts through pre-drilled holes, typically DIN 5901 specifications. For S20 rails, four-hole fishplates are commonly used, ensuring a secure, aligned connection for the 20kg/m light rail, often used in mining and factory settings.

 

Key Installation Steps:

 

 

• Preparation: Clean the rail ends and apply lubricant to the bolt holes and fishplate surfaces to facilitate easier fastening.

 

• Positioning: Place one fishplate on the inside and one on the outside of the rail joint, aligning them with the bolt holes in the S20 rails, per.

 

• Bolting: Insert high-strength fish bolts through the fishplates and rail holes. Generally, 4 or 6 bolts are used per joint.

 

• Tightening: Use a wrench to tighten the nuts securely. For a four-hole fishplate, tighten the middle two bolts first, followed by the outer two to ensure even pressure.

 

• Final Check: Verify the joint is properly aligned and the bolts are tightened to prevent future loosening, especially in high-vibration applications.

 

What are the advantages of using a rail joint to connect an S20 rail section?

 

Using a rail joint (fishplate) to connect S20 rail sections offers high tensile strength, excellent wear resistance for medium-load industrial environments, and cost-effective, easy installation. These joints maintain structural integrity, allow for thermal expansion to prevent rail buckling, and facilitate easy maintenance or replacement of individual rail sections.

 

Key Advantages of Using Rail Joints on S20 Rail Sections:

 

 

 

• Cost-Effectiveness & Installation: As a light rail profile (approx. 19.8 kg/m), S20 is commonly used for temporary or industrial track systems. Using bolted rail joints is significantly more cost-effective for these applications compared to welding and allows for faster installation.

 

• Structural Integrity & Stability: Properly fitted fishplates provide high-strength connection stability, enabling the rail track to withstand longitudinal and vertical forces.

 

• Thermal Expansion Management: Rail joints allow for gaps between S20 rails, crucial for allowing expansion and contraction, which prevents warping, buckling, and dangerous track deformations.

 

• Easy Maintenance: Unlike welded rails, bolted joints allow for easy removal and replacement of individual rail sections, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

 

• Improved Load Distribution: High-quality joints, often utilizing fish bolts and spring washers, improve load-bearing capacity and ensure continuity in lower-traffic environments.

 

FAQ

 

Q: What is the risk of over-tightening the fishbolts?

A: Over-tightening can prevent the rail from expanding and contracting freely within the S20 rail joint bar. This restriction forces the thermal stress into the 100.00 mm profile, which can cause the track to buckle or the 82.00 mm base to pull out of its fastening clips during extreme temperature shifts.

 

Q: How do we prevent the "clicking" sound when wheels pass the joint?

A: The "click" is caused by a vertical height difference or a wide expansion gap. Ensure the S20 rail dimensions are perfectly flush by using a straightedge during installation. If the gap is too wide, the wheel drops into the space, hammering the RAIL S20 MATERIAL STRENGTH and accelerating wear on the machinery's bearings.

 

Q: Does the 55Q material grade require different fishplates than Q235B?

A: The dimensions of the S20 rail joint bar remain the same, but for 55Q grade rails, we recommend using Grade 8.8 or 10.9 high-strength bolts. The higher RAIL S20 MATERIAL STRENGTH of 55Q allows for higher axle loads, which in turn increases the dynamic stress on the joint fasteners.

 

Q: Can I weld the rail ends instead of using fishplates?

A: Welding 55Q grade S20 rail is difficult due to its high carbon content, which requires precise pre-heating to avoid brittleness. For most industrial tracks, using an S20 rail joint bar is preferred as it is easier to maintain, allows for thermal expansion, and is much faster to install in confined mining or factory spaces.

 

Q: How do I know where to drill the holes if I have a custom length?

A: You should refer to your project's S20 rail drawing, which typically specifies hole spacing from the rail end (e.g., 55mm and 110mm). We provide CNC drilling services to ensure these holes are positioned with sub-millimeter accuracy, guaranteeing that the 19.80 kg/m weight is correctly distributed across the joint.

 

Get a Quote in 24 Hours

 

GNEE RAIL provides DIN 5901 S20 rails, full-size crane rails (QU, A series), and international standards like ASCE and JIS directly from our manufacturing facility. We supply all matched S20 rail joint bars, high-tensile bolts, and rail clips to ensure your track system is fully compatible. Our CNC workshop handles precision cutting and custom drilling to your exact S20 rail drawing specifications. Send your technical requirements to GNEE RAIL now to receive a detailed quote and CAD support for your upcoming project.